Combined pruning im plement and fruit-picker



(No Model.)

W. A. BAISLEY 82; G. W. DECKER.

COMBINED PRUNING IMPLEMENT AND FRUIT PIGKER. No. 562,698. Patented June 23, 1896.

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UNITE STATES PATENT OFFICE.

"WALTER A. BAISLEY AND CHARLES W. DECKER, OF L OS ANGELES,

' CALIFORNIA.

COMBINED PRUNING IMPLEMENT AND FRUIT-PICKER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 562,698, dated June 23, 1896.

Application filed September 30, 1895. Serial No. 564,230. (No model.)

To on whom it may concern.-

Be it known that we, WALTER A. BAISLEY and CHARLES W. DECKER, of Los Angeles, in

the county of Los Angeles and State of Galifornia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in a Combined Pruning Implement and Fruit-Picker, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this application.

Our invention relates to improvements in combined pruning implements and fruit-pickers, whereby when the stem of the fruit is severed from the branch the stem is firmly held until the jaws of the pruning implement have been opened by the spring when the pressure of the hand is released; and our invention consists in certain features of novelty hereinafter described and claimed.

Figure I represents a plan view showing the jaws open inv full lines and closed in dotted lines. Fig. II represents the reverse side to Fig. I. Fig. III is an edge view. Fig. 1V is a transverse section taken on line 1V 1V, Figs. 11 and III. Fig. V is a perspective of the picker-jaw and its support.

Referring to the drawings, 1 represents the cutting-jaw of the implement, said jaw having a cutting edge 2 and an operating-handle 3.

at represents the non-cutting jaw, having a concave face 5 and an operating-handle 6. The jaws 1 4 are pivoted to each other by a pin 7.

S 9 represent flat springs secured to the inner side of the handles 3 6, the inner end of the spring 8 being slightly curved at 10 and resting against the face of the spring 9, said springs serving to open the jaws when the hand-pressure is released on the handles.

11 represents a segmental picker-jaw havin g an outer serrated convex face 12, said jaw being pivoted by a pin 13 to one leg 14 of a yoke 15. The yoke 15 is also provided with an additional leg 16. The spring 9 is provided with an extension 17, which extends along of the yoke 15 extend from the rear on each side of the cutting-jaw 1, the leg 14 serving as a support for the picker-jaw 11 and the leg 16 serving as a guide to hold the side of the picker-jaw in close contact with the side of the cutting-jaw.

The lower end of the picker-jaw is provided with a cam-shaped smooth surface 18.

The operation is as follows: When the jaws are in their open position, the face of the picker-jaw extends beyond the edge 2 of the cutting-jaw, and as the jaws are forced together by pressure on the handles the noncutting jaw first comes in contact with the cam-shaped surface 18 of the picker-jaw, throwing the pickerjaw into line with the non-cutting jaw. Then as the jaws are forced still closer together the concave face of the non-cutting jaw comes in contact with the serrated convex face of the picker-jaw, firmly grasping the stem or other object it is intended to sever, and at the same time the face of the picker-j aw is forced back in line with the cutting edge. 2 of the jaw 1, at which time the stem is severed. (See dotted lines, Fig. I.) Then by allowing the jaws to open the stem is released. The free end of the spring 8, resting against the back of spring 9, to which the picker-j aw is pivoted, serves to add to the resistance to backward pressure of the pickerjaw, thus causing the stem to be firmly held until the pressure on the springs is released by releasing the pressure on the handles.

e have described our device as a fruitpicker; but of course it is adapted for ordinary pruning, and especially for pruning vines, rosebushes, berry-bushes, 850., where it is desired to withdraw the severed portion without having to use the other hand for that purpose.

We claim as our invention- 1. The combination with a pruning implement having severing jaws, of a movable pickenjaw having a pivoted support independent of the severing-jaws, a' portion of its face serrated and a portion having a smooth cam-shaped surface, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination with a pruning implement having a cutting-jaw and a non-cutting jaw, of a spring having a yoke passing to each side of the cutting-j aw but not connected with the same and a picker-jaw pivoted to said yoke, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination with a pruning impleserve as a guide, a leg, aqapted for a support, ment having a cutting jaw and anon-cutting and a picker-jaw plwtecl to the supp rtmg- 1o jaw with suitablehandles in connection thereleg, substantially as set forth.

with, of flat springs having their outer ends ALE A BAISLEY. 5 secured to the handles, the free end of one CHARLES "W. DEC] E of the springs resting against the opposite \Vitnosses;

spring, a yoke on the outer end of the oppo- JAs. E. KNIGHT,

site spring, said yoke having a leg adapted to TM. E. LITTLE. 

